Residents Sound Off On Troubled Little League

The used by the Monrovia Youth Baseball League has touched off a torrent of criticism from concerned parents posting comments on Patch.

Here are some highlights from :

• Raymond Aguirre wrote: The City of Monrovia has completely washed their hands in supporting "Americas Pastime".........Little League Baseball. The city alowed the sale of MYBL's old Wyland Way field, and has bounced them around since. The city also refused to help with costs of fixing the little field for the Pinto, and T-Ballers at Rec. Park. Clearly, the city is more interested in saving it's Redevelopment Agency, and not youth sports unless it generates money for the city. Sad.

• Judith Thayer wrote: Soccer has the same problem. Do these officials not realize that these young kids grow up to be voters? Isn't there someone out there who could give back to the community by donating a multi-purpose field? Good PR and nice write off!

• Iamsam wrote: ...If we neglect the needs of the kids they will be overweight and trouble makers. It doesn't take a genius to figure that out. Go into any urban area of Los Angeles. Kids are in the streets. If that is what Monrovia wants, then that is what Monrovia gets. Or the haves will take their kids to neighboring cities where the teen center is booming like in Duarte. Or the sports and parks of Arcadia. Common sense.

• Ricky wrote: Let them eat cake! : "The Monrovia city manager says the youth league should count itself fortunate for being allowed to use the park for free."

• Councilman Tom Adams wrote: ...One change I do see is that less people in Monrovia support Monrovia. The chamber started a "shop Monrovia" campaign because so many people take their money to Arcadia and Pasadena. If more people shopped here there would be more money here. The size of Monrovia hasn't really changed but the mindset of many here has. Hopefully it will go back before my grand daughter needs to play.
  
  ...I would be willing to meet with a group of concerned parents, just let me know.

• Keith wrote: i personally contributed over $2500 out of my pocket in a effort to support MYBL this past year. That doesn't include the countless hours spent coaching and mentoring these kids. It is sad that the City wants to point fingers and blame instead of being held accountable. Keeping our kids in sports programs keeps them from running the streets. A sports complex will create more revenue for the city, no question. This complex may also be a deciding factor on a possible home purchase in Monrovia instead of a neighboring town. With the housing problems out there today, what is the incentive for those parents who are looking to capitalize on relocating to Monrovia.
• Erin Thorn wrote: Some very interesting comments here from the people who are living and raising children here in Monrovia. It's interesting that when a nerve is finally struck we begin to see what really mattters to the average resident of Monrovia. We are interested in our community, not making money. It's too bad that is overlooked in the city's constant push for growth. Lots of us that live here don't want growth, we want that small town feeling we came here for. The children are our future and we need to do something to keep them thriving. Condos and Gold Lines won't do that, but parks and sports/activities will.